project scope & site challenges

the city’s water treatment plant is situated approximately 8,300 feet from the existing raw water pumping station and more than 12,000 feet from the new radial collector wells. compounding this challenge, the plant is located approximately 200 feet higher in elevation than the well field. to efficiently integrate the new wells into the system, 4,000 feet of new raw water main is being constructed to connect with the existing raw water pipeline. the project design prioritizes maximizing the use of the existing infrastructure while maintaining the operation of the current raw water intake pump station.

addressing surge control & system integrity

given the significant water volume being supplied, high static head, and high pumping head, the project required extensive analysis to implement effective surge control measures. to compound the complexity, the existing raw water main presents some unknowns due to its original design and condition. currently, daily operating flow and pressure data provide the only confirmed information on its performance. to safeguard potentially fragile sections of the pipeline, the new system has been engineered to prevent surge pressures from exceeding those currently experienced in daily operations.

high-capacity pump stations & operational flexibility

each radial well functions as a high-capacity pump station, equipped with three vertical turbine pumps powered by 500-horsepower electric motors. these pumps are controlled by variable frequency drives (vfds), allowing smooth startup and shutdown along with precise adjustments to match water demand. the system offers significant operational flexibility as pumps can function independently, in coordination with other pumps at the same well, in tandem with the second well, or in conjunction with the existing raw water pump station.

advanced control & reliability features

to further enhance reliability, specialized pump check valves and mechanical surge relief equipment have been incorporated into the system to prevent damage during unexpected shutdowns, such as power failures. additionally, both wells are fully integrated into the city’s scada system, enabling centralized control from the treatment plant. given the remote location of the wells and operational complexity, the control systems have been designed for maximum reliability, intuitive operation, and resilience against disruptions.

emergency preparedness & flooding considerations

an added challenge for the project is the potential for seasonal flooding, which could occasionally require boat access to the well sites. to mitigate operational risks, each well site is equipped with an emergency power system featuring large natural gas-fired emergency generators with automatic operation, ensuring uninterrupted service even in the event of power outages.

sustainable water future for atchison community

through strategic engineering and system integration, the city of atchison’s new radial collector wells will provide a more resilient and efficient raw water supply, reinforcing the city’s commitment to reliable water access for years to come. snyder & associates is proud to contribute to this critical infrastructure improvement, partnering with lre water to deliver innovative, long-term solutions that secure atchison’s water future through essential hydrogeologic expertise.

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the city partnered with the snyder & associates team to examine the entire water storage and distribution system while investigating the requirements for replacing the failing storage tank. our team was also tasked with determining the required storage volume, water level elevations, potential locations, and opinions of probable costs for various water tower styles to give city leaders multiple options.

inspection determines aging infrastructure requires replacement

the hole in the ground storage tank drastically limited overall capacity and caused sanitary concerns.

constructed in 1961, the leaking ground storage tank generally served the northern portion of the city. during inspections, our team found thinning walls and significant corrosion with at least one ½-inch-diameter hole on the side of the tank. because of this hole, the operating level was roughly half of the tank’s maximum capacity. additionally, the booster station associated with the tank had only one operable pump. due to insufficient available parts, two other nonfunctioning pumps were deemed unsalvageable.

with the compromised system, the water pressure could rapidly drop in the event of a booster station failure. after bringing our findings to the attention of city leaders, it was clear a total system upgrade was necessary.

switching from ground to elevated storage

during our 2022世界杯32强预选赛 stages, continuing with a ground storage tank was quickly ruled out due to those units’ lack of energy efficiency. water towers, by contrast, utilize gravity and only require energy to pump and refill the tower basin instead of requiring constant pumping during high-demand hours like a ground storage tank. this difference drastically reduces wear and tear on the pumps, as well.

location & design considerations for new water tower

determining the ideal storage location, type, size, and pumping equipment for a community’s water needs is highly customized. our experts are well-versed in determining the optimal water storage solution for communities and were able to guide west burlington’s decision-makers through this complex process.

location options

because the city already has an existing storage tower on the south side of town, the north side was the obvious choice for the new tower. several possible locations were presented to the city for consideration, with the two preferred sites on the north side of the existing 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 works facility or at an existing well site to the south, near highway 34.

since the site near the 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 works building did not require land acquisition, it was ultimately selected for construction. additionally, this tower location would be convenient and reduce response time in the event of an emergency.

design options

with a proper location selected, it was time for the community to decide on the type of new water tower. four styles of elevated towers were considered for this project: multi-leg tower, pedesphere tower, composite tower, and fluted column tower. each style option could provide the necessary storage volume and pressures and could be adequately staffed by qualified technicians already employed by the city.

a composite tank was selected as the best option. this style features a single concrete pedestal that supports a welded steel container and allows for easy and safe tank access in inclement weather. additionally, since the column is composed of concrete, it’s not painted, eliminating the costs associated with periodic repainting.

booster system upgrade complements storage tower

at our team’s recommendation, the city also decided to construct a new booster system within the tower’s base. this station was designed to include a chemical dosing system like the community’s previous system so that technicians can continue to independently boost chlorine levels during the yearly three-week period when the city of burlington is shocking the supply system.

this new system, designed for redundancy, can pump 1,400 gpm even with one pump out of service. combined with the 1,400-gpm capacity of the w. agency road booster station, this capacity can provide sufficient flow for fighting large fires across the city if needed.

bringing new water tower online

with the new tower nearly half a mile from the previous water storage facility, an additional water main pipe was needed to connect the new structure to the city’s water system. while geographically, this was a straight shot, the corridor already housed numerous utilities, including gas, communications, sewer, and distribution service pipes. to navigate this busy corridor, our experts worked closely with several city departments and strategically timed construction efforts to minimize disruptions to existing systems and roadway traffic.

with the new composite water tower in place, west burlington businesses and residents will continue receiving safe and reliable drinking water for many decades.

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city leaders recognized that a professional engineering study would identify any necessary water system improvements and help establish a budget for financing those improvements. the team from snyder & associates was brought in to create this report, and it was discovered that in addition to aged infrastructure, substantial issues with water pressure, fire-flow capabilities, and water storage capacity also existed.

holistic water system improvements

although many portions of kimballton’s water supply system were first installed in the 1920s, the community didn’t have a history of water main breaks and considered the system fair. however, the older segments of the system were now over 90 years old and well past their original design life.

during preliminary design conversations, our team raised concerns that if improvements were made to boost the system’s operating pressure, the water mains in those areas could start experiencing increased failures due to the higher pressures. naturally, these discussions led to further concerns about future leaks creating pathways for contaminants to enter the distribution system. as a result of these critical consultations, our experts were contracted to update the remaining pieces of the community’s water system and treatment facilities.

water main replacement leads upgrade process

phase one of the project called for replacing the existing water mains and making targeted improvements to the water treatment plant. the water main upgrades consisted of constructing new mains running adjacent to the existing main through a sequence of replacement projects that minimized the disruptions to the system. approximately 9,900 feet of water main were replaced, including replacing or installing associated hydrants and valves. once the project was finalized, water services were connected to the new water main and the old water main was abandoned.

targeted water treatment plant improvements

thanks to the community’s maintenance and upkeep program, the overall condition of the water treatment system was pretty good. one exception to this was the condition of the ion-exchange silicate chemical (salt) storage facility. the iowa department of natural resources (dnr) noted in its may 2015 sanitary survey that the wooden salt storage structure was old and unsanitary. the recommended standard for waterworks requires that salt-dissolving brine and wet salt storage tanks be covered and corrosion-resistant. per these recommendations, a new salt storage facility was added to the design plans, which included a tank-based brine generation system and new brine pumps, piping, and controls.

in addition to the brine facility upgrades, the aeration tower, detention tank, pressure filters, and chemical injection equipment were upgraded to current dnr standards. while these facilities still functioned appropriately and provided safe drinking water, it was determined that they would become a more significant concern down the road. therefore, including them in the current project substantially increased the grant possibilities.

new standby power source meets code requirements

the final item in the comprehensive water system improvements was the addition of a reliable backup power source. recently, the existing generator unit had become outdated and could not be properly maintained. this left the community without emergency standby power for the water treatment plant and well pumps. the iowa dnr standard for water treatment facilities requires dedicated standby power to treat and pump water to the distribution system to meet average daily demand during an outage.

a new generator was installed at the existing water plant site and connected to the existing plant’s power supply through a new transfer switch and electrical panel. this generator will supply enough capacity to start up and run the water treatment system, including the aerator, chemical feed system, detention tank/high service pump, scour compressor, building lighting, and hvac system. an additional portable generator was slated to be purchased to start up and run any of the existing well pumps, as necessary.

improving water storage capacity, phase two upgrades

kimballton’s new water tower is standing next to its predecessor.

with the water system now able to handle added pressures and capacity, our engineers focused on designing a new water tower for the community. the elevated water storage tank was constructed in the 1920s and exceeded its intended design life. concern for its continued use as a storage tank arose due to an inadequate seal around the roof, resulting in debris and contaminants gaining entry and creating unsanitary conditions. this posed an apparent health and safety risk to the water supply from the contaminants and the reduction in residual chlorine distributed to the system due to the tank’s high free chlorine demand.

additionally, the tank’s atypically low elevation proved to be directly associated with the low system pressure found in the upper portion of the town. before the city expanded, the initial tank design likely relied significantly on the site’s higher ground elevation for static head pressure. in the intervening years, town development had extended up a nearby hill around the tower’s base. the new structure would need adequate height to provide the necessary pressure to the higher end of town.

water storage alternatives explored

four alternatives for new water storage were evaluated based on average daily flows and commonly available tank styles for the design capacity. these options consisted of a 50,000-gallon or 100,000-gallon leg-supported tank and a 50,000-gallon or 100,000-gallon pedestal-supported tank. after discussing community needs and future 2022世界杯32强预选赛 , it was determined the best fit would be a 50,000-gallon pedestal-supported structure.

determining the location was the next step, with capacity and structure type resolved. through town records and conversations with community leaders, a site just west of the existing structure was selected. this location is near the highest elevation in town, taking advantage of the natural height and minimizing the tower’s constructed height. the new tower’s design is approximately 65 feet taller than its predecessor, which stood nearly 50 feet tall. when completed, this additional height will raise water pressures in the area by approximately 28 psi and will substantially increase the community’s pressure for the foreseeable future.

securing vital funding assistance

with an estimated price tag of $4,061,000 to make all the necessary improvements, the town needed a comprehensive funding solution to help make the water system improvements affordable for its residents. several loan and grant options from various sources were evaluated, with a united states department of agriculture (usda) loan and grant and a community development block grant (cdbg) ultimately being the best fit to meet kimballton’s needs. these funding sources provided the community with over $4,000,000 to establish its new water system.

without the grant funding, financing for all of kimballton’s water system projects would have required raising the average monthly user fee by a whopping 350%, from $16 to $72 per month. thanks to our expert’s help, that cost was substantially reduced. today, residents enjoy high-quality water through a new and reliable distribution system that can serve the community for many generations.

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this 635-acre lake is just four miles east of creston and serves as the city’s primary water source.

originally built in the mid-’80s, the twelve mile water treatment plant is owned and operated by the city of creston waterworks. this facility pulls raw water from twelve mile lake to filter, clean, and produce a product that is ready for community use. after 34 years of continuous service, a condition assessment was needed to determine if the facility was operating at peak performance. the professionals at snyder & associates were hired to complete the task.

with a long history of providing services for creston, our team understands the unique goals of the community and kept those in mind while evaluating their current water system. this initial appraisal outlined overall areas requiring improvements while also highlighting significant maintenance needs. from that information, our team created a comprehensive report compiling our findings, suggestions for mitigation, and the estimated cost of a new or reconfigured treatment facility. used as a guidance document, this extensive report provides a detailed review of the majority of components in the treatment process, from the raw water intake to the distribution services.

facility condition assessment findings lead to clear path of action

the current treatment plant uses a variety of clarifying and sanitation systems to treat and process the water. through these steps, the lake water is met with multiple rounds of screening and chemical filtration processes, separating unwanted materials and dissolved solids. chlorine is then added and the mixture sits, allowing time for the breakdown of viruses and bacteria that were not removed through previous processes.

after completing a thorough inspection, snyder & associate professionals determined the filtration process to be functioning efficiently. this was due in large part to regular maintenance and upkeep by plant staff. however, the raw water intake pump station (an original feature of the facility) was highlighted as an area needing significant improvements.

recommended renovations for a productive and efficient water treatment facility

as a vital piece in the treatment process, the raw water intake pump station was no longer running at optimal capacity. the pumps housed in this facility are sophisticated machines that are capable of pulling raw water from various lake elevations and depths. depending on factors like water quality, temperature, and water chemistry, operators select which elevation provides the most desirable raw water for intake on a day-to-day basis. to get these pumps running at peak performance, our experts consulted with facility staff before recommending a variety of potential renovations, including new motors and electrical systems, and updates to the piping system and pump units.

vfd (variable frequency motors) were added to the pump station, allowing more precise control and increased energy efficiency.

the use of variable frequency drive (vfd) motors in the pumping station was viewed as an energy-efficient and sustainable option. vfd motors limit excessive energy usage in the pump stations by fluctuating the supplied frequency depending on demand. this update generates a precisely tuned output from the plant, decreases operating costs for the city’s waterworks department.

throughout the report, additional recommendations for the rest of the plant were presented, as well. these included structural repairs, upgrades to the emergency power system, significant improvements to the supervisory control and data acquisition (scada) system, and heating, ventilation, & air conditioning (hvac) improvements.

taking the extra step: becoming proactive and sustainable in water treatment

snyder & associates strives to take a forward-thinking approach to every project we encounter. we not only look at current problems facing our clients but also consider potential issues that may occur in the coming years.

with this mindset, processes to address algae and microcystin concerns were developed during our review. these recommendations paid special attention to the impact these organisms could have on the facility and offered solutions to reduce their presence. plant operators need to consider both algal and microcystin blooms as they have the potential to alter organics, taste, and odor in both source water and finished water. our team recommended reverse osmosis (ro) and ozonation processes as possible mitigation options for the city to consider.

moving forward with water treatment facility renovations

working side by side with community leaders, the snyder & associates team helped provide documentation for a strategized financial plan which aids in completing the recommended water treatment facility renovations and repairs. our assistance included providing technical background and precise credentials for funding sources such as state revolving funds (srf) and community development block grants (cdbg), along with applying for funding and allocating money to the most beneficial and cost-effective aspects of the project.

a final version of the report was submitted to the city of creston waterworks and the iowa department of natural resources (dnr) for their review. pending approvals and the acceptance of funding applications, design stages are set to begin in 2020 and construction following in 2021. with this assessment and comprehensive report, the city of creston waterworks now has a series of recommendations to follow throughout the project. this will assist city leaders in creating a seamless transition through the upgrade process on the road to an upgraded and proficient water treatment facility.

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does your tap water contain radium? you might be surprised to learn that water served to millions of americans includes trace amounts of this radioactive element. commonly found in soil and rock, two specific types of radium naturally leach into underground water sources and frequently end up in community water systems (cws).

beginning in the early 1980s, the raw water collected in the iowa town of toledo has registered radium levels exceeding the enforced national standard of 5 picocuries per liter (pci/l). occasionally, these levels reached almost double the permitted amount. in response to the newly revised environmental protection agency (epa) regulations, upgraded systems were added to the community’s water treatment facility, specifically focusing on radium removal. however, by 2012, this equipment was no longer operating as designed and radium levels had once again crept above the permissible limit.

snyder & associates was contracted by city leaders to conduct a comprehensive water system study and develop cost-effective recommendations for improvements. our goal was to not only address the high radium levels in the water source but also offer practical upgrade options, focusing on capacity issues, hardness, and the removal of other contaminants.

contaminant treatment options addressed by facility upgrades

our team immediately recognized that ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate were not found in excessive amounts in the raw water source. however, our experts know these levels can easily trend up over time and a functional solution for their treatment would also be necessary.

the current treatment protocol used a system that intentionally avoided the addition of chlorine or permanganate. this allowed filters within the system to naturally become biological — a process where microorganisms clean water instead of chemicals. to complement this process, a new system was designed in the same manner to “futureproof” for any possible increases in ammonia levels. this new 800 gallons per minute system consisted of two aeralater® filtration units that combine aeration, detention, and filtration in one system. primarily designed for the removal of iron and manganese, these self-contained treatment units are also effective at removing carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, radon, arsenic, and odor removal (ammonia).

of course, addressing the elevated radium levels was a top priority for both our team and city leaders. so in addition to the aeralater® units, we also incorporated a new ion exchange softening system into the design to ensure proper radium regulation. similar to residential water softening equipment, this process offers the advantage of producing fresh, softened water while also having the ability to remove both naturally-occurring radium types.

ion exchange is a chemical process where unwanted dissolved radium ions are pulled from the composition and exchanged for other harmless ions of a similar charge, producing contaminant-free water. the addition of the softening process allows the treatment center to fully meet current regulations while also adding extra benefits for community users.

to meet industry standards, not all water moving through the plant has to be treated by both the softening and aeralater® systems. as the percentage of radium removed directly correlates to the rate of water softened, our team included a blend valve which increases or decreases the flow to the softeners. this allows facility operators to have complete control of water quality and seamlessly adjust for changes in radium levels.

remote monitoring adds convenience and safety feature

our design team also implemented remote monitoring as an updated feature in the toledo water treatment plant. this setup provides treatment plant staff with real-time access to plant operations via smartphone, desktop, tablet, and other wireless devices. operators get continuous access to plant controls, allowing them the ability to view and confirm system alarms and make adjustments to the operation while away from the facility.

a significant benefit of remote monitoring is the operator’s ability to assess the severity of a situation to determine if immediate action is needed or if the issue can be dealt with the next day. this system gives operators the upper hand, allowing them the ability to shut down or switchover equipment to maintain compliance and prevent potentially costly repairs.

strategic construction staging helps reduce disruptions

2022世界杯32强赛程表时间 . during the early design stages, we realized this project would test those skills and abilities. our team was faced with constructing a new building within ten feet of the existing facility. it was also situated adjacent to an underground, brick storage tank that had to remain operational throughout construction. to minimize disruption to water production, a carefully staged plan was devised to keep development on track and avoid damage to these existing structures.

to incorporate an existing well, the new treatment facility was positioned as close as constructible to the old facility. by placing both facilities over a single well, operators could switch flows between each plant when necessary as construction proceeded. this process was accomplished through a series of strategic valving and temporary piping systems, allowing the new facility to produce water during the day before switching back to the old plant overnight. the transition between facilities provided our engineers with the necessary time to fine-tune the system, ensuring the new treatment process was operating as required for regulatory compliance. when the new plant was permanently put online, the old plant was decommissioned and the underground storage tank was removed.

at snyder & associates, we strive to provide our clients with exceptional treatment facilities while also creating a smooth transition during start-up. to that end, our team administered training for all treatment facility operators to ensure employees were confident in their new environment. these small but important steps work together to create a first-rate facility that meets all regulatory requirements while adding an efficient and reliable asset for the community of toledo — now, and into the future.

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located west of northwest beaver drive in johnston, camp dodge has been cemented as a community staple for over a century. this military installation where thousands of world war i soldiers once trained now serves as the headquarters for the iowa national guard, iowa’s fire service training bureau, the state police academy, and numerous other organizations.

as the facility has grown over the years, it’s been plagued by well-documented water treatment issues and inefficiencies. based on their desire to own and operate an independent, modern water source with treatment, water storage, and an onsite distribution system, iowa national guard leaders reached out to the duo of 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程  and snyder & associates to design safe and efficient structural and water system upgrades.

comprehensive water system plan presents viable solutions

the snyder & associates team completed a comprehensive water system master plan to help determine the best course of action moving forward. our 2022世界杯32强预选赛 efforts included the presentation of options for improved water quality with increased capacity and flexibility to meet future demands and regulations. ultimately, the proposed improvements would allow the iowa national guard to serve adequate, reliable, and high-quality water to all camp residents and organizations on the base.

after an extensive review of existing facilities, it was found that raw source water from two shallow groundwater wells contained high levels of iron and total organic carbon (toc), along with small amounts of radium. the team analyzed two treatment alternatives — a lime softening system and an ion exchange process that was similar to the existing plant. detailed equipment sizing plans, functional plan view layouts and elevations, and construction cost estimates for both alternatives were completed. likewise, operational cost estimates for each alternative were provided to aid in determining which alternative would be more economical long-term.

selected lime softening water treatment system & additional upgrades

the lime silo was built to provide storage of lime used in the water softening process. it also houses the lime mixing equipment and the waste lime sludge pumps.

after careful consideration and discussion, the iowa national guard committee authorized the snyder & associates team to proceed with the development of the lime softening water treatment system. this system was viewed as the most versatile treatment option, as well as the best alternative to meet the master plan directives. the lime softening process is able to reduce and/or remove hardness, iron and manganese, arsenic, total organic carbon (toc), and radium from the source water.

to provide system redundancy and allow additional capacity for the future, the final designs included two lime softeners for the facility. additionally, a bulk steel silo for lime storage was included next to the facility. this 20-ton silo provides one-month storage for peak day demand and four-month storage at average day demand.

to further support the new treatment system, an inspection of both source water wells was also recommended. since these systems were built to handle capacities from nearly 60 years ago, it was determined neither well would be able to meet current-day peak demands. our team recommended increasing the overall capacity by upgrading the existing submersible pump, motor, column, discharge piping, valves, and various electrical upgrades. this served as a near-term solution but was the most cost-effective since the expenses associated with a new supply and raw water transmission main were fiscally unachievable at the time.

at snyder & associates, providing solutions that not only overcome immediate obstacles but also consider future expansion needs is at the core of our design process. to that end, much care was taken with the design of the facility’s piping system. our team made sure to create an easily accessible network to accommodate another lime softener in the future if conditions warrant. our piping design can be quickly and easily extended for expansion.

facility upgrades make room for new water treatment systems

completed by our structural engineering team, the building addition for the lime softening equipment was added just to the south of the existing water plant facility. this building also houses the aeration process system, recarbonation, filtration, disinfection, chemical addition, and high service pumping equipment. outside the building, lime sludge lagoons and a 150,000-gallon ground storage reservoir were constructed. in addition, the existing water plant facility was renovated by removing outdated process equipment. this provided space to convert the area into an office, conference room, laboratory, storage area, restroom with shower and lockers, and control room facilities.

interior of chemical feed room during construction completed by 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程

this ambitious project was completed in multiple phases implemented over several construction seasons to make them financially feasible for the iowa national guard. the updated lime softening water treatment facility has now been operational for a number of years and has continued to meet the needs of all camp residents and organizations on the base.

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water treatment systems: updates, additions, and renovations

in the years leading up to its revision, the plant treated all water by a lime softening process — a method that uses calcium hydroxide, or limewater, to soften water by removing calcium and magnesium ions. as regulations tightened, this was no longer the best means of treatment as it does not efficiently treat all water contaminants entering the facility.

the source water wells supplying this plant are a mixture of shallow alluvial and deep wells ranging anywhere from 40 to 3,000 foot deep. with that expansive range of depths comes a variety of water qualities and chemistries. our team determined that a combined system approach could effectively treat water from both types of wells.

this combined system includes two different treatment processes — a new reverse osmosis system and the conversion of the previous lime softening plant to an iron and manganese removals system. to aid in the transition to a multi-system facility, our engineers modified multiple piping systems to direct source water to the specific treatment process best suited for its water chemistry. this meant that water from the deep wells is guided to the ro system, while the shallow well water is directed through the iron and manganese removals system.

water treatment through reverse osmosis systems

once deep well water reaches the ro system, it’s placed under high pressure which pushes it through an extremely fine porous membrane. during this process, pollutants are filtered out and flushed away, resulting in clean water.

at this plant, our team installed a ro system that produces about 325 gallons of permeate water per minute. this system primarily pulls water from the north wellfield where well depths are mixed and water often contains higher levels of iron, manganese, radium-226, and hardness. once treated, the water leaves with no hardness, radium, or contaminants.

transitioning to an iron and manganese removal system

the lime softening plant previously used for the city’s water treatment already contained aspects required for iron and manganese removal. instead of building a completely new system, the snyder & associates team modified what was present to meet the new design standard.

due to its geological landscape, iowa water naturally contains iron and manganese and the majority of wells near the plant were no exception. to remove those unwanted minerals, the water is first oxidized with added aeration and sodium permanganate chemicals. together, these cause a reaction with the metals, forming particles similar to rust flakes that can then be removed through sand gravity filtration. this system treats around 700 gallons of water per minute from the area’s shallow alluvial wells, producing a filtered product.

creating the perfect water quality mixture

water from the various wells is treated independently by the two processes, utilizing the vital benefits of each system. the ro process provides effective hardness reduction for deep well water but can create water chemistry, ph, and stability concerns. comparatively, water treated by the iron and manganese removal system is naturally higher in ph, making the water alkaline.

to achieve the best product, finished water from each treatment system is mixed in a new 173,000 gallon 70-foot diameter ground storage reservoir. the combination of water from each method creates a balanced finished product that is ready for distribution. high service pumps draw water from the tank to be sent to the distribution system for community use.

results post water treatment plant renovation

since the completion of the upgrades, the oakland plant has seen an increase in daily water production along with higher overall water quality. the water is now softer than what was created by the former system and regularly contains lower concentrations of ions. this provides a more consistent water product for businesses and general 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 use.

currently, the oakland community uses around 750,000 gallons of water from the plant per day. snyder & associates was able to use the existing plant, reworking its features and adding new systems to meet the community’s drinking water supply needs.

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the new treatment process consisted of high technology equipment to provide appropriate treatment for the raw water. as the well water contained a significant concentration of iron and manganese, a layneox pressure filter system was utilized, allowing for a significant reduction in equipment footprint. following the iron filter, an electrodialysis reversal (edr) membrane system was installed. edr provided a high technology solution to reduce fluoride and radium in the source water to meet drinking water standards. in addition, hardness can be reduced to a level the plant operator selects. the electrodialysis reversal is adjustable in that changes to the electrical supply can vary final water quality produced by the process.

the facility also included a new steel ground storage reservoir and high service pumping to deliver finished water to the distribution system. new chemical feed and storage systems were constructed and housed in new rooms in the plant. an attractive metal building was provided for the entire facility, which includes office space, an electrical room, restroom, full laboratory, and storage space.

the finished water is treated with liquid sodium hypochlorite solution to ensure disinfection. finished water ph is continuously monitored and adjusted to provide stable water. in addition, polyphosphate is added to the finished water to help protect the distribution system. the process is controlled by a complete scada electronic control system with online analyzers for many water parameters. plant capacity is approximately 200 gpm (0.228 mgd).

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snyder & associates prepared a water system study for the city of atkins, iowa to address capacity issues, hardness, hydrogen sulfide, rising radium levels, and periodic excursions of nitrite levels occurring in its distribution system. while preparing the report, it was determined that the source of high nitrite levels was raw water with ammonia levels up to 8 mg/l, which was the highest level in the state at the time. the city’s current plant didn’t have the ability to remove nitrate and its silurian well had just recently been drilled, so utilizing the existing plant or changing water sources were not valid options for resolving the issue. as a result, it was determined a new water treatment plant was needed.

reverse osmosis pilot yields strong results for reducing ammonia

first, a biological filtration pilot was conducted to determine if the system would efficiently remove contaminants as a less expensive, easy method to provide stable water. however, it did not reduce ammonia to the desired level and actually raised nitrites by 4-6 mg/l to exceed the limit of 10 mg/l.  next, a reverse osmosis pilot was commissioned. it achieved a satisfactory reduction in ammonia and nitrate, with secondary benefits of hardness and radium removal. while reverse osmosis technology has been utilized for years, it’s just becoming affordable and practical for municipalities to install. with the ability to consistently remove 85-90 percent of various water contaminants, reverse osmosis systems are well-suited to serve as a long-term solution to meet both current and future drinking water regulations without major improvements or cost involved.

achieving water stability without blending in an ro system

project challenges included addressing the iowa dnr’s concern of creating aggressive water. typically, reverse osmosis water is blended with well water because reverse osmosis water in an unaltered state can be very corrosive. unfortunately, due to the levels of ammonia present in atkins well water, blending was not possible. to resolve the issue, chemical addition was utilized to stabilize the water, which made atkins the first water treatment plant in the state of iowa to be 100 percent reverse osmosis without blending.

designed by snyder & associates, the new treatment facility features a full-scale reverse osmosis treatment system, aeration, an 80,000-gallon clearwell, and extensive chemical addition. in addition, odor scrubbing was added to the new facility due to the plant’s location on a main street in town. the location also drove the architectural look and design of the building to be more aesthetically pleasing than typical treatment facilities.

client satisfaction spurs acec honor award for reverse osmosis design

snyder & associates provided a number of services for the project including evaluation of the existing system, a preliminary engineering report for improvement options, design and construction documents, letting assistance, construction administration, observation, and start-up assistance. since completion, snyder & associates continues to address operational questions in addition to assisting with regular maintenance and equipment troubleshooting.

in 2012, the atkins water treatment plant project was selected to receive an honor award from the american council of engineering companies (acec), following a competition among engineering firms throughout iowa. in selecting snyder & associates, the acec cited several aspects of the project as examples of engineering excellence but highlighted, in particular, its solution to address a complex issue with ultimate client satisfaction in mind.

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utilizing a surface water treatment facility, the city of panora in central iowa, has encountered challenging source water characteristics ever since their plant was constructed. drawing from the middle raccoon river, they’ve most notably faced fluctuating water quality problems, elevated nitrate concentrations, and taste and odor issues from the presence of organic materials.

surface waters, which includes all above-ground water sources such as lake, pond, and rainwater, varies from source to source and season to season. this was causing frequent inconsistencies in the treatment facility’s product. in order to regain system reliability, city leaders hired snyder & associates to prepare a source water study. this study would analyze current quality issues and potential water source opportunities to determine the best option for the community.

source water study determines most cost-effective path

signs denoting source water protection areas are posted along the middle racoon river

our team conducted the study during the spring and early summer months when seasonal stormwater runoff was at its peak. we found that nitrate levels in the middle raccoon river could exceed the maximum contaminate level (mcl) set in place by regulatory agencies. although easily fixable, nitrate wasn’t the only variable causing issues. during the normal spring snowmelt, significant levels of dissolved organics and ammonia also enter the river. the presence of these additional compounds, along with late-summer algae blooms, triggers taste and odor problems in the final drinking water product after chlorine is added for disinfection.

three alternatives for groundwater sourcing in the panora area are the jordan aquifer, the dakota aquifer, and a shallow alluvial aquifer. while these potential water sources were assessed during our study, it was eventually determined the best and most cost-efficient course was continued use of the middle raccoon river with updated treatment systems.

reverse osmosis water treatment process addition

once the optimal source of water was determined, snyder & associates developed a facility plan that analyzed all aspects of the community’s water system. this extensive document included detailed proposals for phased improvements to the city’s drinking water system, along with the recommendation to add a reverse osmosis (ro) water treatment process. our team conducted an initial reverse osmosis pilot study on a reduced scale to ensure a successful final product. upon completion and approval from the iowa department of natural resources (dnr), we moved to design a full-scale reverse osmosis treatment system expansion.

the reverse osmosis method provides the city with a cost-effective way to remove ionic and organic impurities such as total dissolved solids, heavy metals, organic pollutants, viruses, bacteria, and other dissolved contaminants without the need for regeneration chemicals. the efficiency of this method is due to the reverse osmosis membrane at the heart of the system. this membrane is so fine that virtually nothing but pure water molecules can squeeze through, eliminating unwanted source water features. the new reverse osmosis membrane and support equipment were able to be housed in a building addition on the south side of the existing treatment plant.

additionally, a new diesel engine generator was purchased to provide emergency power to the facility. the plant’s gravity filter media was also replaced with new media, including an activated carbon cap to control taste and odor. upon completion of construction and system installation, we provided operational guidance and helped city staff incorporate the improvements into its existing process.

with these upgrades, the system can now control chemical contaminants that present a threat to 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 health and produces a higher quality of water for panora residents. these cost-effective improvements to the existing water treatment facility avoided increased expenses associated with constructing an entirely new treatment plant. the upgraded facility is positioned to continue serving the community of panora for years to come.

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